Cookie Consent

    We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. Learn more

    Install AIinASIA

    Get quick access from your home screen

    Microsoft defends OpenAI in copyright infringement lawsuit
    Business

    NYT vs OpenAI copyright lawsuit is like Hollywood's early fight against VCRs

    Microsoft defends OpenAI against The New York Times' copyright infringement claims in a lawsuit that could impact the future of AGI.

    Anonymous11 March 20243 min read

    AI Snapshot

    The TL;DR: what matters, fast.

    Microsoft is defending OpenAI against a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by The New York Times, comparing it to Hollywood's initial opposition to VCRs.

    Microsoft argues that OpenAI's use of copyrighted material for training Large Language Models does not harm the news business but rather teaches the models language.

    OpenAI admits the necessity of copyrighted content to train AI models, prompting media industry concerns and leading to licensing deals with some publishers while others, like NYT, pursue legal action.

    Who should pay attention: Publishers | AI developers | Copyright lawyers

    What changes next: The outcome of this lawsuit could shape AI development and copyright law.

    Microsoft defends OpenAI against copyright infringement claims by The New York Times in a lawsuit that could impact the future of AGI.,OpenAI acknowledges the use of copyrighted materials in training AI models, but Microsoft argues it does not supplant the market for the works.,The case highlights the growing concern in the media industry over AI models being trained on valuable content without permission.

    Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is the next big thing in the tech industry, and OpenAI is at the forefront of this revolution. However, the company is currently embroiled in a legal battle with The New York Times over copyright infringement claims, and Microsoft is defending its largest investor. In this article, we will explore the implications of this lawsuit for the future of AGI in Asia, a region that is increasingly seeing the AI Wave Shifts to Global South.

    Microsoft Accuses The New York Times of Unsubstantiated Claims

    In a court filing on Monday, Microsoft accused The New York Times of making "unsubstantiated" claims that the use of OpenAI's technology is harming its business. The news outlet's lawsuit, filed in December, seeks to hold Microsoft and OpenAI accountable for billions of dollars in damages. Microsoft argues that the publisher is presenting a false narrative of "doomsday futurology," in which OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot will decimate the news business.

    Microsoft Compares Lawsuit to Hollywood's Early Fight Against VCR

    Microsoft's filing compares The New York Times' lawsuit to Hollywood's resistance to the VCR in the 1970s. Microsoft argues that the lawsuit is challenging the latest profound technological advance: the Large Language Model (LLM). Microsoft claims that the content used to train LLMs does not supplant the market for the work; it teaches the models language. This echoes broader discussions around What Every Worker Needs to Answer: What Is Your Non-Machine Premium? in an AI-driven economy.

    OpenAI Acknowledges Use of Copyrighted Materials

    OpenAI has acknowledged that it's "impossible" to train top AI models without copyrighted works. In a filing last month in the U.K., OpenAI responded to an inquiry from the U.K. House of Lords, stating that copyright covers virtually every sort of human expression, including blog posts, photographs, and government documents. Therefore, it is impossible to train AI models without using copyrighted materials. This raises questions about AI's Secret Revolution: Trends You Can't Miss and the ethical implications of data sourcing.

    Media Industry Concerned over AI Models Being Trained on Valuable Content

    The lawsuit highlights the growing concern in the media industry over AI models being trained on valuable content without permission. OpenAI has struck deals with Axel Springer, the German media conglomerate that owns Business Insider, Morning Brew, and other outlets, and is reportedly in talks with CNN, Fox Corp., and Time to license their work. This landscape is constantly evolving, with companies like Warner Bros taking Midjourney to court over AI and superheroes. For more on the economic impact, a recent report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) discusses the challenges and opportunities of AI for intellectual property policy here.

    Conclusion

    The lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI, with Microsoft's defense of its largest investor, could have significant implications for the future of AGI in Asia. The case highlights the tension between technological innovation and intellectual property rights. As AGI continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these issues and find a balance between innovation and protection of intellectual property.

    Do you think the use of copyrighted materials is a necessary evil in the development of AGI, or should AI companies be held accountable for infringing on intellectual property rights? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

    What did you think?

    Written by

    Share your thoughts

    Join 4 readers in the discussion below

    This is a developing story

    We're tracking this across Asia-Pacific and may update with new developments, follow-ups and regional context.

    Latest Comments (4)

    Victor Chin@victorC_ai
    AI
    7 December 2025

    Interesting analogy. But are VCRs really comparable to how AI *generates* content, or is it more like a super-sophisticated scrapbooking machine?

    Sneha Iyer
    Sneha Iyer@sneha_i
    AI
    28 November 2025

    This comparison to VCRs is quite intriguing, isn't it? It makes me wonder if the concern is less about the "copying" and more about the disruption of established revenue models. Will we see a similar, ultimately beneficial, adaptation this time around, or is the landscape fundamentally different with AGI?

    Rajesh Venkat
    Rajesh Venkat@rajesh_v
    AI
    29 April 2024

    This lawsuit reminds me of the early days of Bollywood, when cable TV was seen as a threat to cinema. Now, both thrive. It's truly fascinating how technology repeatedly sparks these intellectual property battles. This AGI development feels like a crucial inflection point, doesn't it? Hope they find a balanced solution for both creation and innovation.

    Sarah Lee@sarahlee88
    AI
    8 April 2024

    Nah, this isn't quite the VCR saga again, is it? That was about format shifting; this is generative. The *Times* is worried about their content getting regurgitated, not just replayed. It’s a trickier wicket for sure, especially when AI can weave something completely new from their stories.

    Leave a Comment

    Your email will not be published